Why Most Marriage Problems Will Never Go Away feat. Gary Thomas

What if most of the frustrations in your marriage were never going to go away—and that was completely normal?

In this episode, Brad sits down with best-selling author Gary Thomas (Sacred Marriage) to unpack a truth few couples hear but every couple needs: around two-thirds of marital issues are ongoing—and that doesn’t mean your marriage is broken. It means you’re normal.

They dive deep into why lasting frustrations don’t have to lead to constant disappointment—and how grace, spiritual growth, and the pursuit of holiness can turn a hard marriage into a sacred one. With personal stories, biblical insight, and laugh-out-loud moments, this episode reframes marriage as a powerful tool for discipleship—not just a source of happiness.

You’ll learn:
• Why most marriage problems aren’t meant to be “solved”
• How opposites can thrive without changing each other
• What grace looks like in the middle of long-term differences
• Why your character—not your compatibility—matters most
• How God uses your marriage to shape you, not just satisfy you

👉 Subscribe to the Grace Marriage Podcast and share this episode with couples who need encouragement in the middle of the mess.

🔑 KEY IDEAS:
• Why you married your opposite—and how to make it work
• How unmet expectations affect modern marriages
• The connection between spiritual growth and marriage health
• Why most marriage conflicts are never fully resolved
• Grace vs. pressure in long-term relationships
• How worship and holiness strengthen your marriage

KEY VERSES:
📖  1 John 4:19 (NIV) – “We love because he first loved us.”
📖 James 3:2 (NIV) – “We all stumble in many ways.”
📖 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV) – “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
📖 2 Peter 1:5–7 (NIV) – “Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control… and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”
📖 Colossians 3:5–14 (NIV) – “Put to death… sexual immorality, impurity, lust… rid yourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander… clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… And over all these virtues put on love.”
📖 Matthew 6:33 (NIV) – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

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